3. The Decision

"She will be happy Alice. And that's only possible if I leave. Better yet, if I had never existed at all."

Then Jasper's head shot up, "Edward, we all know you don't really believe that; and that she won't get over you—she loves you too much to do that. I've felt the love Bella has for you and you for her and I know it wouldn't be as easy for her as you think." He said all this knowing it was completely true—as did I.

"But Jasper you also know it would be better for me to leave and not hurt her, or put her in danger anymore," I said in a low voice.

"Yes that is also true. But are you willing to hurt her that much for something that might not keep her safe? What if Laurent or Victoria came back looking for us and find her instead? Then who will be there to protect her? No one if we leave; did you think of that aspect?" He was right. What if they did come here when were gone and kill her? I couldn't let that happen.

Then Alice had another vision:

Bella and I; sitting in her room talking, and I was explaining what happened on her birthday and why. I leaned over and gave her a hug and a kiss telling her I would never let anything come between us and that I wouldn't let Rosalie hurt her.

Then Alice ran up and hugged me squealing, "Thank you; thank you; thank you; I'm so happy we don't have to leave!" Then she ran over to Jasper hugging him saying thank you for making me see what could happen to Bella if we left.

"I'm glad you're not going to leave her Edward," Carlisle smiled.

"So am I sweetie, but what do we do about what Rosalie has done?" Esme asked.

"We let Bella know what Rose did and then see what Bella thinks and if she forgives her," Carlisle explained.

"I'm going to go back to Bella's now," I said smiling at everyone—even Rosalie. "And I'll explain what happened tomorrow. Right now I just want to see her."

"Okay! See you tomorrow, Edward!" Alice said, hugging me for a second time.

"Bye," I waved then ran out of the house to Bella's.

When I got there her window was open as always and I saw her curled up on her bed, asleep. Then I heard her talking in her sleep, "I'm sorry…it's my fault…paper cut…Edward". I went over to the bed and laid next to her holding her to me. The she sighed my name and pulled herself closer to me. "Edward…I love you," she muttered, causing me to smile. I loved Bella so much—I was a complete imbecile for thinking it would be better to leave.

I pulled her even closer, kissing her forehead and running my hand through her hair. I took a deep breath, taking in her scent; it made my throat ache, but it reminded me that I was still here and she was still safe. I started to hum her lullaby and she smiled. She looked beautiful as she slept; her hair fanning across her pillow, her sheets ruffled from her tossing, and the smile she wore now. I always told her she was beautiful but she didn't believe me; she thought of herself as a plain normal girl but she was the exact opposite. She was beautiful, smart, funny, caring, and selfless. The only girl that I have ever and will ever have any interest in.

It wasn't quit morning yet when she started to stir. Her eyes fluttered open to gaze into mine—she was smiling at me again; I smiled back "Hi Edward; when did you get here?" she asked.

"Just a while ago, love. You look beautiful when you sleep, you know," I told her. "It's kind of early," I pointed out; it was only four a.m. "you should probably go back to sleep." She looked tired and she might have been in some pain because of the glass earlier; if she slept if wouldn't hurt, even though it had stopped bleeding.

"Will you be here when I wake up?" her voice was full of sleep. "Yes love, now get some sleep. I know you're tired and it's been a long night." She snuggled closer to me, burying her face in my chest and taking a deep breath. I wound my arms around her waist and pulled her to me, wanting to hold her even closer than before. She sighed goodnight, I hummed her lullaby, and soon she was asleep again.